If there's one recipe that takes me straight back to my Iowa roots, it's this one. These Iowa Maid-Rites are the real deal! Simple, hearty, and packed with flavor. If you’ve never had a true loose meat sandwich, this is the one to try. It’s classic, easy, and made just the way it should be.
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This post was originally posted on 4/9/2015 and updated on 4/30/2025.
One reader, Lori commented: "⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great recipe! I was born and raised in Iowa and this really took me back to my childhood!! Have made for friends and family, always a hit!!! Thankyou!"
Another reader, Kelsey, wrote: "⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I've made these several times now. Excellent!!! They are on a regular rotation in our household now. Everyone loves them - including the 4 year old and 2 year old."
I'm doing my home state proud! If you didn't already know, Iowa is famous for Maid Rites. The first maid rite was created in Iowa at a little walk up restaurant actually called Maid-Rite. A little Iowa history for you. Growing up, I remember having these sandwiches for lunch at school. They were one of my favorite school lunches!
Why We Love This Maid Rites Recipe
- True Midwest classic: Brings the nostalgic flavor of an authentic Iowa favorite right to your kitchen.
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.
- Family-approved: Kids and adults both love these no-fuss, flavor-packed sandwiches.
- Great for feeding a crowd: Perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or casual get-togethers.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for quick meals later.
Maid Rites Recipe Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Minced Garlic
- Lean Ground Beef
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Beef Bouillon
- Beef Broth
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Substitution Suggestions
- Olive Oil: You can use any neutral oil. Vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil are great options.
- Minced Garlic: I like fresh garlic best, but in a pinch you could use a teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Ground Beef: I prefer to use lean ground beef for this recipe. If you use an 80/20 blend you'll have to drain a lot of the grease.
- Beef Broth: You can use chicken broth if you prefer, but the beef broth brings out more of the beef flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: White distilled vinegar or lemon juice are good substitutes.
How to Make Iowa Maid Rites
This is a very easy recipe that starts on the stove and finishes in the crock pot. A great dish to make in the morning and have ready when you get home on busy nights.
- First, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and saute the onions until translucent. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, crumble and brown until no longer pink.
- Stir in salt and black pepper and drain any fat if needed.
- Add the beef mixture to a crock pot along with the beef bouillon, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Stir it all to combine.
- Cook the maid rites on low for at least 3-4 hours. If you plan to leave it on warm or low longer than 4 hours, add an extra ½ cup of beef broth to the mixture so it doesn't dry out.
Serving the Maid Rite Sandwich
My favorite way to eat these is with only pickles. The old fashioned way! No other condiments are necessary. If you like you can serve them with a piece of cheese, ketchup and mustard. Serve them on your favorite bun. I like chewy buns and gourmet buns for these loose meat sandwiches. You want a strong bun that won't get soggy from the juice of the meat.
What to Serve with Iowa Maid Rites
These sandwiches are delicious served with some potato chips, or other potato dishes as well as roasted vegetables or a simple salad. Here are some of our favorites:
- Crispy Oven Fries
- Roasted Ranch Potatoes
- Classic Potato Salad
- Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Corn
If you love these type of sandwiches don't miss my Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes, Italian Sloppy Joes or these Crock Pot Pizza Joes.
Storing Maid Rites
Storing: Store the leftover cooled maid rites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat the maid rites on the stove over low or in the microwave until warmed through. If the maid rites are a little dry add a touch of beef broth. They can also be reheated in the crock pot on the warm setting for a couple hours.
Freezing: Place the cooled maid rites in a freezer safe air tight container or freezer bags. Label, date and freeze for up to 4 months.
Thawing: Thaw the maid rites in the fridge overnight and then reheat with instructions above.
Make it an Easy Freezer Meal
This is a very freezer friendly meal. If you want to make it ahead and freeze, add all the ingredients to the pan after the beef has been cooked and drained of any fat. Stir it up, remove from heat and let cool completely. Once cooled add the maid rites to a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Label, date and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw it overnight, add to crock pot and follow with the cooking instructions.
Heather's Favorite Tools for this Recipe
- I love my crock pot that is programmable. It allows me to leave the house knowing the chili won't be overcooked.
- I've had my Rachael Ray pots and pans since my wedding in 2010 and I love them. They've held up great and they're affordable. I really also love my cast iron skillet.
- A garlic press works great if you want to use fresh garlic and not have to chop it. I use a Pampered Chef one but this garlic press from OXO is great too!
- This meat chopper is the tool for breaking up and browning ground beef.
More Easy Dinner Recipes:
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Crock Pot Italian Beef
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Instant Pot Drip Beef Sandwiches
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
- Ground Turkey Teriyaki Bowl
- Honey Mustard Chicken
Did you make this recipe? Rate it!
If you enjoyed this recipe give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments below. It really helps the recipe stand out and I appreciate the feedback to make recipes everyone will enjoy.
Iowa Maid Rites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced very small-almost minced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet with deep sides over medium heat.
- Add onion, and saute until transluecent.
- Add garlic, saute one more minute until fragrant.
- Add beef, salt and pepper. Brown beef until no longer pink, drain any fat.
- Add beef mix to a crock pot.
- Combine together beef bouillon, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar.
- Pour over beef and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve on sturdy buns with pickles.
James says
Just as bad as the other sites. Takes forever to find the actual recipe with exact measurements.
Heather says
Click the jump to recipe button, it will bring you right to the recipe card and you won't have to do any scrolling.
Gerald Freeman says
This is good as is.I miss these they remind me of home.Thanks
Heather says
They remind me of home too! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah Brad says
Look through this twice, they don’t specify the amounts of any of the ingredients
Heather says
Hey Sarah! If you scroll down to the bottom of the post there is a recipe card with exact amounts or you can hit the Jump to Recipe button at the top and it will bring you to the recipe card. Hope that helps!
Jamie Robbins says
I know you mentioned adding extra liquid if going to cook longer than 4 hours. I put this in the crockpot but I will be gone for 8 hours will it still be okay? No one really talked about doing it longer than 4 hours
Heather says
I would add some extra liquid so the meat doesn't dry out. If you have a programable crock pot cook it for 3 hours on low and then let it sit on the warm setting.
Lori Smith says
Great recipe! I was born and raised in Iowa and this really took me back to my childhood!! Have made for friends and family, always a hit!!! Thankyou!
Heather says
Me too!! Exactly why I enjoy them so much! Thanks for sharing!
Derek Smith says
Can you just do it on the stove top without using a crockpot? Just let it cook low on stove top for a half hour or so to let all liquid to cook in?
Heather says
Absolutely!!!
Kelsey says
I've made these several times now. Excellent!!! They are on a regular rotation in our household now. Everyone loves them - including the 4 year old and 2 year old.
Heather Warburton says
I'm so glad! Thank you!
Louise Kant says
Heather, Maidrites cannot be beat! My husband and I have loved them since the middle 50s. When I found the recipe many many long years ago our whole family loved them. Now I make them for most large gathering celebrations and everyone loves them! Thanks for sharing a wonderful and tasty memory. Louise
Heather Warburton says
You're so welcome! Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Terry Sprung says
Heather, I like maidrites too. Haven't made them for a long time-thanks for sharing. School lunches weren't that bad expecially if you had some of the older ladies as cooks. They made homemade buns to go with them. Agree with you only need pickles.
Heather Warburton says
You're welcome! Come back and let me know if they are how you remembered them as well!
Raymond says
How much hamburger should I figure for 20 people?
Heather says
For 1 sandwich per person I would figure 6 pounds of beef which would be doubling the recipe.